Pros and Cons to carrying a 642/442?

[billj47]

442-1

I like the 442-1 because it is light and easy to fit in a pocket holster. I grab it when I go out for a short time. Otherwise in an OWB holster, also because it is light. I practice with mine often and dry-fire it a lot. Of course, it only has five rounds, but for most times I carry it is for "fairly safe" exposure. The point is I don't have to rig up to be armed. Works in unbelted clothes in a Mike's or Mika's holster.

 

[haywood]

In the past I only carried J-Frames. A pair of 442's was very common for me. One in the pocket, One in the waist. Since last winter I have carried a Shield 9 or a XDM 3.8 in the waist but, one of the J-Frames is always in my pocket. The 442 was always a favorite pocket gun. You can walk around with your gun in hand if you felt the need. You can draw with out the gun snagging. If it's in a jacket pocket you can shoot through the pocket in an emergency. With a 442 or other J-Frame you don't have to worry about interrupting the function of the slide such as in a contact shot. No worry of fail to feed or eject. There are no accidental mag releases with a 442. A gun shop owner I met saw it happen where an instructor was teaching draw technique and ejected his mag at the Range. So, no matter what is in my waist, I always have a 442 or it's equivalent in my pocket. Doing yard work, a J-Frame is in my pocket. Watching TV after a shower in PJ's, a J-Frame quite ofton the 442 is in my pocket.

 

[Goldstar225]

I carry a Shield as my primary CCW. However I've had my 642 for 20 years, most of that time it served as my back up gun while on duty and occasional off-duty carry. Now it's the gun I grab for pocket carry (I highly recommend the Mika holster. The down side to the 642 vs. the shield are obvious, less rounds on tap, slower reload, higher recoil levels etc, etc.

To offset that I feel it has adequate power for the majority of the situations it may be called to solve and it's a "always" gun, as in it's a gun you can always (where legal) have on you. More difficult to shoot well? Yep, but it is far more capable than many claim if you are willing to put in the range time to develop your skills.

 

[Kansasgunner]

I've been carrying a Sig P365 in the pocket, on the belt or in a shoulder holster since June.
Today I went back to the 442 in my pocket and I remember why it was my daily companion for 15 years.

 

[jimmyj]

I quit CCW Model 642s because of the finish pealing.
S&W might have corrected the finish issue since I stopped.
When I CCW "J" frame 2" .38s i carried 148 grain W/C ammo and practiced at 3 and 7 yards. I also painted my front sight with a bright color paint- "Fight, Front Sight".

 

[haywood]

442's finish holds up much better.

 

[rubiranch]

I quit CCW Model 642s because of the finish pealing.

This is the other side of my 642-1 after years of being carried.

 

[Baxter6551]

Last year I obtained a 442 as a warranty replacement for my cracked frame early (non plus P rated) 642. I carried the 642 as a backup gun. I always disliked the finish on the 642 I prefer black guns - less visible - so requested the 442 vs the offered 642 replacement from S&W. They were very good with the warranty claim.
I practice with it and all my J frames. I carry speed strips one in belt pouch the others in pocket. Tuff Products makes a 5 shot one although 6 is a good idea in case you fumble one and they now have an 8 shot.
I have all manners of holsters - shoulder / OWB / IWB / ankle and pocket. Mika makes a great pocket holster. I also like my Kramer (used bin at LGS $7.00 !!! )
I don't feel outgunned carrying a j frame as primary and the 442 is extremely comfortable to carry. I have no problems concealing.

 

[Buford57]

My daily companions. 642-1, Galco horsehide, speed strip with 6 more Gold Dot 135 gr and Ka-Bar Dozier folder. Front sight painted red. After about 8 years of carry the sharp edges on the frame are worn like you'd expect on a blued gun, but no peeling or flaking.



38-2 "Spare". Front sight painted white. It now wears the S&W "boot grips" that come standard on the 442/642 these days. At the last range trip I shot better groups at 20 yards with this than the 642, so there may be a role-reversal in our future.

Both of them, by the way, kept everything inside the 7 ring of a B27 at that distance with the majority inside the 9.

The "pros" for me are simplicity, reliability, ammo-insensitivity and light weight.

The "cons" are width and capacity.

I pocket carried a Shield for awhile, but didn't care for the extra weight and length in a pocket. If I have to go to belt carry and "dress around the gun" I'd probably bypass the Shield for something full size, like my .38 Super Witness. If 5 shots aren't enough, are 8? 18 might be. (Shirley, I jest)

 

[blues7]

My 642-1 is a niche gun, but great at its job as a walking around gun in my home area, or a backup if need be. (Their pros have been adequately addressed above, no need for me to repeat them.)

It's not the gun I carry when I get in the 4Runner and leave home, but I have complete confidence in its capability for its limited purposes.

 

[Pef]

This is the other side of my 642-1 after years of being carried.

My 637-2 finish, after years of carry, is starting to flake on the backstrap. Oh well. It's cosmetic, and it's not a big deal.

 

[PALADIN85020]

That's an awesome holster!!

So I guess the big question for you and the others here. Are they really THAT bad to shoot?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Not with .38 specials - you can shoot target wadcutters; not much recoil, and they cut mean wounds in flesh.

If you can handle more recoil, there are plenty of +P loads around that will do the trick nicely.

John

 

[Pointblank2U]

Those who live in the Northern half of the country usually wear an outer garment about three quarters of the year. A light J-Frame in a coat pocket is a lot faster into action than something a lot bigger in or on your waistband.

If you ever have to defend yourself it's very likely to be in some dark parking lot, you may have your hands full or putting something in your trunk. It might even happen in your own yard going into your garage or getting in or out of your car. You won't expect it and it will happen fast. Situational awareness is paramount, a snubbie is the cherry on the of the sundae.

 

[Old cop]

I've been carrying a J Frame since my 1968 rookie year and there are more pros than cons to these little guns. The biggest suggestion I can make is to get as much dry fire & live fire range time as possible. They can be a real hand full if you're not prepared for the recoil, even w/standard pressure rounds.

 

[Gearhead Jim]

For 30 years, some kind of Airweight/Airlite J-frame was my backup/OD gun. Carried in a pocket holster in my right-front pocket. I practiced with it a lot- too much. The web of my hand is now so tenderized that even in a K-frame with good grips, +P is uncomfortable.

Now my pocket gun is a Glock 42 in .380- prints a little more but much easier and comfortable to shoot, two extra shots, quick reloads, night sights. I can shoot 150 rds in one session and still feel like doing more. Street results (Ellifritz, and Marshall) put the .380 as equal to the .38 snubbie. I'm satisfied, but if my hand magically healed then I'd consider the J-frame again.

 

[yugolovr]

I can't think of any negatives in regards to the air weight centennial. I have the 642 and it is a very handy gun.

 

[rubiranch]

My 637-2 finish, after years of carry, is starting to flake on the backstrap. Oh well. It's cosmetic, and it's not a big deal.

It doesn't bother me at all.
I have other guns that are pretty.

 

[Rpg]

These guns are difficult to shoot well.

The classic target load of 148 gr lead wadcutter ammo is very pleasant to shoot. It's also a capable self defense load. It still takes a fair amount shooting to become proficient with these guns, but you won't get beat up gaining that proficiency and you'll enjoy shooting it.

Use snazzier ammo and you'll feel it. It's more difficult to develop proficiency with the fire breathing ammo. It's also a lot less fun to shoot, so you'll be unlikely to shoot much; not enough to develop proficiency.

 

[cowboy4evr]

I have carried and shot 442's and 642's for years . I load up a std 38 special load using a 158 gr cast bullet . I practice @ 5 and 7 yrds doing drills . I have to say that I don't even notice the recoil . I'm concentrating getting off 3 shots in 3 seconds at a paper target and do it with accuracy , and yes drawing from a holster . My best time so far --- consistently is 4 seconds . I need to "smooth " out my draw from the holster to get my times shaved . Actually I have a lot of fun and do find the 642 quite accurate , when I do my part . Regards Paul

 

[hyena]

I don't think anybody has mentioned the importance of which grips you choose. My 642-1 came with those skinny little wood magna style grips. It was almost unshootable in my size XXL hands. They just flat out did not work for me. Uncle Mike's boot grips made a world of difference. Altamont smooth rosewood boot grips looked great, feel great in my hand, won't catch on clothing (though that's never happened with the UM's either) but directly transmit every bit of the recoil to my hand. Hogue tamers are wonderful for taming recoil. I can shoot my 642 all day with them. But they are so large I feel they negate the concealment advantage of a J frame.

So I've settled on the Uncle Mike's boot grips. i can shoot a box or more of shells with no discomfort. The good thing is you can experiment with different grips. They're not expensive, assuming you stay away from the boutique makers.